Chakra - Committed to open-minded, inclusive and compassionate Krishna Conscious News, Views and Discussions

Looking for Deities for Home Altar

by Tulasi Ma dasi
Posted July 24, 2008

My name is Tulasi Ma dasi. I am looking for Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra, Srimati Ganga Devi and Sri Sri Lakshmi Nrsimhadev Deities for my home shrine. If you have such Deities that you would be willing to donate to a loving devotee, please e-mail me at tulsimadasi@hotmail.com.

Seeking Engineering Job

by Padmanabha das
Posted July 24, 2008

I am Padmanabha das, an Indian citizen and an engineer from the University of Mumbai. I have a B.E. (Electronics), and am seeking employment abroad in any ISKCON project or devotee organisation. I was a lecturer in engineering colleges for four years prior to joining ISKCON in 1994. Since then I have been employed in management with the ISKCON Tripura Project (3 years), the Bhaktivedanta Hospital (6 years) and MIHET (26 months). I am Brahman-initiated and a disciple of H. H. Bhaktiswarupa Damodara Swami.

If you have any potential employment leads for me, kindly contact me at 09892563854 (India) or through e-mail at pradipudecha@gmail.com.

Seeking Partners in Preaching

by Gaurahari das
Posted July 24, 2008

I'm looking for sincere volunteer devotees to partner with who have a natural love and passion for Srila Prabhupada's mission to share the wealth of Bhakti Yoga principles with the suffering masses for Lord Caitanya's great pleasure.

Preaching partners will receive no material remuneration. I am seeking others to join me with the intention to brainstorm, combine and organize our talents, energy, creative ideas and whatever assets we may have to contribute towards the one-pointed intention of sincerely assisting Srila Prabhupada in saving the conditioned souls. He has given us the facility and now we can utilize it practically. (Click here for the full article)

Devotional Animation DVDs

by Krishna Kumar das
Posted July 23, 2008

Krishna Janmastami is fast approaching and as is the practice every year, Bamboonotes is offering devotional animation CD's and DVD's at special prices for temple gift shops. These CD's include stories from Srimad Bhagavatam, Ramayana & Mahabharat in English language. For further details contact Krishna Kumar das, Mumbai on info@bamboonotes.com.

Jagannatha Umbrella

by Aprakrita dasa
Posted July 23, 2008

Please distribute the smile of your Dearmost Friend. Available as collapsable purse model. It is 3ft in diameter with the exact big colorful Jagannatha Smile design. It is an excellent conversation starters and it's sure to make any rainy day much brighter. However it's also make excellent parasol to protect you from the hot sun. When used at a Rathayatra parade, its make it all the more festive.

The price is $20 +$7 shipping in the world.

Or: 3 for $55 + $12 shipping in the world.

To get it, please visit this page:

Click Here

Sankirtana Party Needed

by Bhakta Kaplish
Posted July 21, 2008

On occasion of Sri Krishna Janamashtmi Festival to be celebrated by ISKCON LUDHIANA on 24th August, we need a sankirtana party from India. Interested can email at bhakta.kaplish@pamho.net The festival will be in very big pandal and expected a large number of congregational devotees.

Devotee Home for Sale in Alachua, FL - Drastically Reduced Price

by Radha Vallabha
Posted July 17, 2008

We have dropped the price from our original $211,000 to only $169,900 as we are needing and wanting to move quickly. It is a beautiful 3 bedroom 2 bath devotee home in Alachua, Florida. Home of the largest devotee community in the U.S. Five minute drive from the Hare Krsna Temple and the New Raman Reti (Montessori style) Gurukula. Cozy Victorian style house. Built in 1947. 1360 square feet. Original wood high ceilings. Central electric heat and cool. Ceiling fans in all the rooms. Wooden floors. (Click here for the full article)

Devotees In Or Near Alexandria, LA?

by Bhaktin Alison
Posted July 17, 2008

My husband, Bhakta Curt, and I will soon be relocating from Springfield, Illinois to the Alexandria, Louisiana area in the near future, so I can start a new job in Jena, Louisiana. Are there any home programs and/or devotees living within a 120-mile radius of that location? If so, please contact me at Alipsych176@aol.com or my husband at curtmeyer@gmail.com. Our wonderful, loving Gurumaharaja, Rtadhvaja Swami Maharaja, emphasizes the importance of association with devotees, and we have found association to be essential.

Property For Sale Near Gita-nagari, USA

by Jaya Gopal das and Damayanti dasi
Posted July 17, 2008

Approximately 36 acres adjacent to ISKCON Gita-nagari farm is being offered for sale via public auction on Saturday, August 30th 2008 @ 9:30 a.m. The land is comprised of 4 separate parcels which are briefly described as follows:

Lot #1 is approx. 31 acres with a 24 x 48 home/cabin built in 1996. Includes well, septic system and is a self sufficient residence capable of year round living. Lovely wooded lot offers solitude and seclusion and is within walking distance of the temple. (Click here for the full article)

Varna-Asrama Community in Belize

by Rasalila dasi
Posted July 16, 2008

We are a group of Prabhupada centered devotees, who are starting a self-sufficient, varna-asrama comunity, in Belize. Our mission is to provide a model community based on Srila Prabhupada's instructions on varna-asrama, cow protection, simple living and high thinking and unity and diversity. The main focus will be farming and we are hoping that through our success we can help others start communities everywhere in the world.

This community will have an Ayurvedic Healing center, a Vedic Wisdom library, a Ksatriya Training Center, a Center for Sustainable Agriculture, a Center for Development of alternative energies and technologies that support and encourage simple living, and high thinking. (Click here for the full article)

Media Release

by Anuttama das, ISKCON Communications
Posted July 16, 2008

Yesterday, July 13, 2008 the Child Protection Office released its official decision in a case regarding allegations against Gauri das of the UK yatra, for events occuring during his tenure as a teacher at the ISKCON-affiliated school in Vrindavana, India, during the 1990's.

Today, the Manor's managing council adopted an official statement presented below.

Anuttama dasa
Minister
ISKCON Communications

14th July 2008
Official Statement from Bhaktivedanta Manor

Yesterday, on 13th July 2008, Gauri Das stepped down from his position as Temple President of Bhaktivedanta Manor after a decision by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness Central Office of Child Protection.

The decision found Gauri Das responsible for "inappropriate and excessive corporal punishment" whilst a teacher at an ISKCON affiliated school in India during the 1990's. (Click here for the full article)

Design a Free Hare Krishna Postcard

by Vrindavan dasa
Posted July 16, 2008

Design a free Hare Krishna postcard or business card here.

Spanish Translation Needed

by Jagannatha Mishra das
Posted July 14, 2008

After almost two years of success with the free mrdanga course online mrdanga.wordpress.com and its mirror in Chinese bhaktibox.com/mrdanga.asp we are willing to translate it into Spanish.

For that we have set up a wiki for easy translation using just your browser. sites.google.com/site/mrdangawiki/

If you wish to help just send an email to jaganat@mail.com and we will give you editor account.

Peers Remember Life of Gurukula Alumnus

by Madhava Smullen
Posted July 14, 2008

On June 20, 2008, Gokulananda das, a second generation ISKCON member — or gurukuli — died by suicide in Marina Del Rey, California. His death was reported by his girlfriend of five years, Michelle Lemay.

On June 29, about ten of Gokulananda's gurukuli peers gathered with other friends to honor his bright spirit and to pray for peace and happiness on his journey. The memorial at Lemay's residence featured a communal drum ceremony led by a Native American shaman, kirtan, prasadam and exchanging of memories. (Click here for the full article)

Candan-Yatra Festival

by Muraru Sevaka Farm
Posted July 13, 2008

Click Here for a larger image.

Friends of the BBT - July 08 Newsletter

by Dina Sharana dasa
Posted July 13, 2008

BBT Brazil Makes A Comeback
by Madhava Smullen

The Brazilian BBT harks back as far as 1975, when Srila Prabhupada held the first Portuguese Bhagavad-gita in his hands. Director Ishvara Swami ran the organization impressively, translating all of Prabhupada's books and turning out huge print runs of between 100,000 and 400,000, with an unprecedented one million copies of Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers flying off the presses. Brazil was a major sankirtana powerhouse, climbing to the top of the book distribution charts for a whole year. (Click here for the full article)

MP3 Jagannathastakam

by Murli Krsna das
Posted July 13, 2008

Jagannathastakam on MP3 format 5.8Mb is available to download at the following link.

www.mercifulsripada.com/kirtan

Let's Join Together

by Pranavallabha dd
Posted July 12, 2008

Recently on various online devotee news sites, some anti-women comments made by a current ISKCON leader (calling women "toilets") have been highlighted. This brings to light the very recent controversy caused by HG Caitanya Prabhu about the anti-women comments he made on his blog. The question I am going to ask is this: How much longer will blatant sexism and anti-womanism be allowed to continue in ISKCON?

I remember seeing a GBC public statement against Caitanya Prabhu's blog, but what did that really accomplish? What if, in 20 years, Caitanya Prabhu pops up as a guru, long after everyone has forgotten this controversy? (Click here for the full article)

Tilaka Signs for Photos

by Kunja Bihari dd
Posted July 12, 2008

I am Kunja Bihari dd from South of Brazil and I like building devotional websites.

Here in Brazil people use to add stamps on their pictures before putting them in albums for Blogs, HI5, Orkut and other social networks. So I built a website where we can put a Tilaka sign on our photos. It is easy to use and has also an English version. The URL is: tilaka.yadog.net

The other website is a devotional e-cards service. It is written in five languages so more people around the world can use it. I think sending e-cards is a good way to show love and affection and get association from other devotees. tarjetas.yadog.net

If you have any suggestion for a new site, please let me know.

Tuition Assistance Needed for Boy Born in Mayapur

by Gaura-Nitai das
Posted July 12, 2008

For the last five years or so our school in Mayapur (SMIS) have had a very special student in our school. This boy, named Prakash, was born right across the street from the Yogapitha (the appearance place of Gauranga Mahaprabhu). His father helped build Srila Prabhupada's Samadhi and has performed many other services for the community. Prakash has had the opportunity to attend our school for the last five years only because of the financial sponsorship from a generous well wisher. He is a very bright student, well liked among the students and has a pleasant demeanor. Unfortunately, the sponsor is no longer able to continue the sponsorship. (Click here for the full article)

House for Sale

by Madan Mohan Mohini Dasi
Posted July 11, 2008

Beautiful, well-built, 9-year old passive solar home on 1.4 acres bordering the woods and Snow Creek for sale in Prabhupada Village in Sandy Ridge, NC. Established flower and vegetable gardens, large kitchen, hardwood floors, covered porch, solar hot water heater and right across from the temple. 2 floors, 1008 sq. ft. each floor, 1 bathroom and plumbing for 2nd bath, 4 bedrooms. $130,000. Please contact madanmohanmohini@yahoo.com or call 336-593-9888.

Llama Fest

by Caru das
Posted July 11, 2008

The 14th Annual Llama Fest will be held at KHQN Radio Station and Utah Valley Llama Farm two miles south of Spanish Fork on Main St. Festivities start from 4 pm, on Saturday July 19th.

In their native Peru, Chile, and Bolivia, llamas carry heavy loads over terrain which is impassable to motorized vehicles. They are the trucks of the Andes. In America, life is much easier where they have become popular for carrying camping gear on weekend hikes and day trips. Many have found a niche as sheep guards on the open range. Still others, like an RV purchased with good intentions but somehow never used, spend their lives simply munching grass and looking gorgeous and exotic to passers by. (Click here for the full article)

Downtown Alachua House for Rent

by Kirtiraja dasa
Posted July 11, 2008

FOR RENT

A FANTASTIC, LARGE 2 BEDROOM 2 BATH HOME IN DOWNTOWN ALACHUA.

LARGE BEDROOMS AND CLOSETS

EXTRA LARGE DINING ROOM

HUGE LIVING ROOM

LOTS OF WINDOWS SO THERE'S PLENTY OF LIGHT AND AIR.

OAK HARDWOOD FLOORS THROUGHOUT

CERAMIC TILE KITCHEN FLOOR (Click here for the full article)

Tulasi Prayer

by Drupati Singh
Posted July 6, 2008

Here is a prayer I found in Padma Purana. It destroys sins and attracts merits for those who recite it:

"Oh supreme Tulsi, the best gods sing your glory. Even sages, siddhas and the lord of the snakes do not understand your glories and the measures of your qualities after hundreds of crores of kalpas. You came form the joy of Vishnu at the time of the churning of the milk ocean.

Since Vishnu held you on his head, you became pure, having fully touched the limbs of Vishnu.

I salute you Tulsi. Since I worship with the lord with your offshoots, remove my difficulties so I could reach the highest position. (Click here for the full article)

Video Producers, Musicians, Authors, & Narrators

by Dhruva Maharaja dasa
Posted July 6, 2008

Sadhusanga has created an internet portal for all kinds of downloadable devotional items. Thus, we're inviting devotees to place their items - Music, DVDs, eBooks, or AudioBooks on our site for free.

We believe in supporting devotional projects, and will return 75 percent of the sale price back to devotees when their items sell. If you have any kind of digital presentation, and would like to take advantage of this offer, visit 98.130.186.56/join for further information.

Krishna Conscious Educational Opportunity

by Visvambhara das
Posted July 5, 2008

The New Raman Reti School, a Krishna-centered educational institution located in Alachua, Florida, is now accepting enrollment for Pre-K thru 6th grade for the 2008 / 2009 school year. We offer:

Dedicated Teachers - Credentialed and experienced educators who are focused on your child's academic, social, and spiritual development.
Personalized Learning - Low student to teacher ratios to facilitate your child's individual interests, needs, and nature.

(Click here for the full article)

Thank You, BBT

by Rama devi dasi
Posted July 5, 2008

I felt very compelled to write in, just to say, how relieved I feel after reading the BBT's decision regarding annotating Srila Prabupada's books. I am still relatively a new devotee, not even ten years yet, and I felt very nervous and confused about the idea of annotating Prabhupada's books. I very much appreciate and feel very thankful, for the decision that the BBT has made and for the clear, concise wording, and it seems that all areas of questioning have been covered. The BBT took a very strong position and they also took into account other things which had not occurred to me, such as, the delegation of responsibilities for guiding the devotees. (Click here for the full article)

Four Hard to Find Ritual Items Needed

by Vrindavan dasa
Posted July 4, 2008

Together with several devotees, we are practicing various forms of Vaisnava ritualism on Ekadasi, Janmastami and Rama Navami. In several cases, however, there has been some difficulty in acquiring exactly the right materials and ingredients. A few major items that we have been unable to acquire so far are listed below. If you have any tips or clues that might help, please contact me at gauranagar@hotmail.com. Here is the list:

7 metal fire brands for marking the body (conch, club, disk, lotus, sword, bow and arrow of Sri Visnu) during special fire yajna ceremonies performed on Sayana and Prabhodani Dvadasis. For reference, Hari Bhakti Vilasa indicates, "...the Vaisnava should, after breaking the fast, brand seven marks on his body."

(Click here for the full article)

1-Volume Bhagavatam wanted

by Radhika Mohan das
Posted July 4, 2008

I am looking for single volume Srimad Bhagawatam , commentary by Sril A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. Please contact me at 571-294-0405 or email me on radhikamohandas.rgs@gmail.com

Looking for Work

by Gopal Acarya das
Posted July 4, 2008

I am looking for any permanent job with devotees, but preferably in a restaurant as a cook or any other business with prasad distribution. I worked for some time in Govinda's as a cook and served prasad as well. Preferably in Europe.

Please contact me at 087 7947037 (tel no. to rep.of Ireland)

e-mail 108gopalacaryadas@gmail.com

In the News:

Sweet Savouries in Jaynagar
by Deepa Natarajan , Deccan Herald
Posted July 1, 2008

National award-winning actress Tara and fashion designer Prasad Bidapa inaugurated ISKCON's exclusive Krishna Prasadam Temple-outlet in Jayanagar.

A massive cake in hues of pink and orange reading 'The Higher Taste' welcomed the visitors as ISKCON Bangalore opened its first outlet in Jayanagar on Friday. National award-winning actress Tara and fashion designer Prasad Bidapa inaugurated this exclusive Krishna Prasadam Temple-outlet. The event was also graced by social worker and chairperson of Infosys Foundation Sudha Murthy. The outlet has a range of sweets, cakes, savouries and organic spices and condiments developed by the ISKCON food lab. All these contain no eggs, onion and garlic. (Click here for the full article)

BBT Statement On Annotating Srila Prabhupada's Books

by BBT Trustees on 1 Jul 2008
Posted July 1, 2008

The ISKCON Governing Body Commission has recommended to the BBT trustees that we insert endnotes or appendices into Srila Prabhupada's books to explain statements Srila Prabhupada makes in Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.25.41, 4.25.42, and 4.26.26 concerning a woman's attitude towards the aggressive advances of a man and towards a man who is "expert at rape." The GBC has also recommended that the endnotes or appendices explain "other such statements."

The BBT directors, at their annual meeting in June of 2008, considered these recommendations and decided to turn them down. (Click here for the full article)

Suicide Prevention & Support

by Bhaktin Sara
Posted July 1, 2008

I am sorry to hear about the recent death of Gokulananda das, as posted recently on Chakra.

Since there have been other suicides in the devotee community in the past, and maybe others in the future, I just want to share that there is help out there.

The place where I work has a 24 hour suicide hotline - (877) 7-CRISIS or (877) 727-4747 - Toll free in LA and Orange Counties

The volunteers there are well trained and extremely supportive, and have saved life after life of callers who are feeling suicidal. (Click here for the full article)

Care for Cows, July 2008

by Kurma Rupa dasa
Posted July 1, 2008

Our July 2008 Care for Cows Newsletter has been posted. Please review it at your earliest convenience.

(careforcows.org/downloads/newsletters_0).

In this edition of 24 pages (2 MB) we present:

A report on a prosthetic limb for cows.
A testimonial by Suresh Vagjiani (UK) who sponsors forty-eight members of our herd.
A report on the struggle of a premature calf.

(Click here for the full article)

Home for Sale

by Vishaka devi & Balarama das
Posted July 1, 2008

Fully furnished home for sale. Sits on a beautiful 5 acre lot with the best view in all of Prabhupada village with in a 5 minute walk to the temple. Community has devotees that farm organic produce and devotees that sell organic milk. We are asking $164,500.00 or best offer. The house is in perfect condition as well as the small barn. (Click here for the full article)

Alachua Apartments for Rent

by Anuradha devi dasi
Posted July 1, 2008

We have two wonderful apartments coming available on our 7 acre retreat. These apartments have only been rented once before, by Krishna devotees, of course! Each 1000 sq ft apartment has wood and ceramic tile floors, dishwasher, washer/dryer, large bathroom, large living/dining room, lots of closet space, screened in back porch, secluded, beautiful woodland views, full A/C, ceiling fans. These are both of a very high standard.

Two miles from the Alachua New Raman Reti Hare Krishna temple, one mile from Alachua town center, 12 miles from Gainesville and UF. (Click here for the full article)